Jose Mourinho claims that England captain Wayne Rooney is being worn down by constant criticism of his performances.
Manchester United manager Mourinho warned Rooney last night that he will only be picked on merit and not reputation at Old Trafford.
But the United boss went on to make the extraordinary claim that one of the most experienced and battle- hardened players in the Premier League is being affected by what his manager believes is excessive criticism from outside the club.
Mourinho said last night: ‘Honestly, I think there was a Wayne before the Slovakia game (for England three weeks ago) and a Wayne after the Slovakia game. And I am not blaming Sam (Allardyce), not at all. I’m blaming the people that, after England-Slovakia were, in my opinion, too strong with somebody that is a very important player in the history of English football, is the captain of England, is the record scorer of goals. I think it was too much, but I still think, a big boy like he is, he has to face it in a strong way.’
Much has been made of Rooney’s role for United and, to a much lesser extent, England this season. The 30-year-old has been scrutinised after indifferent performances in midfield and up front and Mourinho is clearly worried it is getting to him.
‘Everyone is a different person and everyone analyses things in a different way,’ he said. ‘Some they read every word, some they don’t read. It depends. Some are affected by it. Some are not. Some families... I think many times the media forget there are family and kids and parents and wives and girlfriends. People forget that and people react in different ways. The way they react can also affect the way the professional reacts.
‘It’s part of your culture and part of the culture of this country.
‘I know, in spite of not being English, I have been here many years, I know one of the reasons of the English disaster in the Euros and in the World Cups.’
Rooney was guaranteed a place under Louis van Gaal last season simply because he was captain, but Mourinho said that is not the case under him and he must decide whether to play his skipper against Leicester today.
He said: ‘Wayne is my captain but in football, every one is the same, and if he has to go on the bench, he goes on the bench, if he has to stay at home, he stays at home.
‘But that doesn’t mean that you don’t trust him or you have a problem. Not at all. We have no problems.’ He also challenged Rooney to fight back, adding: ‘I still think it’s part of the job. You have to cope with it, you have to realise you are very lucky to be in our position. You must be very lucky to be Manchester United manager, Man Utd player, Man Utd physio, Man Utd doctor, Man Utd kit man.’
Mourinho referred to his critics as ‘Einsteins’ after the midweek win over Northampton. Last night he said: ‘The only thing that upsets me is criticism of my players as I would love to protect them.
‘It’s out of my control, but the Einsteins need money to live.
‘They can’t coach or sit on the bench. But they can speak and write and criticise other people.
‘But I am a man of goodwill. So why not also feed the Einsteins?’
Daily Mail